Your Ultimate Brew Guide!
Imagine this: The sun is painting the sky with hues of orange and pink, the air is crisp, and your muscles are buzzing from a glorious morning hike. Oh, wait, I hike in Scotland haha. What could make this moment more perfect? Or what could lift my mood from the relentless torrential rain? A warm, rich cup of coffee, brewed or at least made right there amidst nature’s grandeur. For every UK backpacker and hiker, trail coffee isn’t just a drink; well, for me at least, it’s a ritual, a morale booster, and that much-needed kick to conquer the next peak or just contemplate the route back. But with so many options, how do you choose your perfect hillside companion? Let’s dive into the world of portable brews!
Before we get there, if you’re looking for a cool flask that works in the real world, check out the Super Sparrow Flask review
Why is Instant Coffee Essential? A good cup of coffee is more than Just a Drink!
Beyond the caffeine kick, coffee on the hills offers campers, backpackers and walkers:
A Warm Embrace: After a chilly night or a rain-soaked morning, a hot cup is pure comfort.
Morale Boost: That familiar aroma and taste can instantly lift spirits, especially on challenging days.
Energy & Focus: Ready to tackle that steep ascent or navigate a tricky path? Coffee (caffeine and sugar) helps sharpen your mind and body.
Ritual & Relaxation: Taking a moment to brew and drink can be a grounding experience, connecting you deeper with your surroundings, as well as a welcome break from the hard graft.
Mountain Coffee Choices: The Pros and Cons at a Glance
Before we explore the specific brands, here’s a quick rundown of the general types:
Delving into the Brews: Your Portable Coffee Arsenal
Now, let’s explore the fantastic options available right here in the UK, perfect for your next adventure!
The Best Instant Coffee Sachets and Sticks: The Featherweights of Flavour
These are the go-to for minimalist packers. Lightweight, single-serving, and requiring just hot water, they are the epitome of convenience.
Nescafé Original, Gold Blend, and Azera Instant Coffee Sticks: The familiar heroes of instant coffee! Widely available, these sticks offer a reliable taste and an instant pick-me-up. Use case: The classic morning brew by the tent, easy and fuss-free.
TrueStart Barista Grade Instant Coffee: Elevate your walking coffee experience! This high-quality freeze-dried instant coffee comes in convenient sticks, promising a smoother, richer flavour closer to your favourite barista’s brew.
Use case: A well-deserved reward after summiting a peak, offering a taste of home comfort.
TrueStart Barista Grade Instant Coffee – Smooth Original Barista, 360g (200 Sachets) £27
Clipper Fairtrade Organic Instant Coffee Sticks: For the ethically-minded adventurer, Clipper offers a delicious, organic, and fair trade option. Feel good about your brew!
Use case: Sustainable sipping during a mindful wild camping trip.
Taylors of Harrogate Coffee Bags: Not strictly instant, but just as easy! These individual bags contain ground coffee, brewing like a tea bag. The result is a richer, less “instant” flavour.
Use case: A leisurely breakfast brew at a scenic viewpoint, enjoying a taste closer to filter coffee.
Taylors of Harrogate, Roast 4, Rich Italian Coffee Bags, 3 Boxes of 10 (Total 30 Bags) £16
Taylors of Harrogate, Roast 6, Hot Lava Java Coffee Bags, 3 Boxes of 10 (Total 30 Bags) £16
Taylors of Harrogate, Roast 5, Flying Start Coffee Bags, 3 Boxes of 10 (Total 30 Bags) £10
Coffee Concentrates and Pastes: Potent & Packable Powerhouses
These innovative formats offer concentrated coffee goodness, taking up minimal space and delivering a strong hit of caffeine.
Camp Chicory & Coffee Essence: A traditional liquid concentrate, bottled and ready. Just a few teaspoons mixed with hot or cold milk (or water!) gives you that distinctive, comforting coffee and chicory flavour.
Use case: A nostalgic evening drink mixed with hot milk around the campfire, or a refreshing iced coffee on a warm afternoon.
No Normal Coffee Paste: This unique product comes in a resealable tube – like toothpaste, but for coffee! It’s a coffee paste you can mix with hot water for an instant brew or even consume directly for a potent, quick energy boost.
Use case: The ultimate emergency caffeine hit, or a fast brew when you’re too tired to faff with anything else!
Ready-to-Drink Coffee Cans and Bottles: Instant Gratification on the Go
When you need coffee NOW and don’t want to boil water, these chilled or ambient options are your best friend. Heavier, yes, but zero faff!
Arctic Coffee: Deliciously chilled and available in various flavours like Intenso and Cafe Latte. Perfect for a refreshing hit without needing to boil.
Use case: A mid-morning treat on a hot summer hike, cooling you down and perking you up.
Jimmy’s Iced Coffee: A hugely popular UK brand, Jimmy’s offers a range of iced coffees in convenient cans and cartons. Great taste, no effort!
Use case: A guilt-free indulgence during a lunch break by a loch, especially when the sun is out.
Jimmy’s Iced Coffee The Big Original BottleCan™ 12 x 380ml Multipack – Refreshing Ready-to-drink Iced Latte Tins £28
Jimmy’s Iced Coffee The Big Caramel BottleCan™ 12 x 380ml Multipack – Chilled Rainforest Alliance Arabica Coffee Energy Drink £28
Jimmy’s Iced Coffee The Big Mocha BottleCan™ 12 x 380ml Multipack – Cold Chocolate Milk & Arabica Coffee Tins Bulk Pack £28
Jimmy’s Iced Coffee Strong Slimcan (12 x 250ml) Mutlpack | Extra Shot Strong Espresso Flat White Flavour with Single Origin Rainforest Alliance Arabica Coffee Beans £22
Costa Coffee Ready-to-Drink Cans and Bottles: Your high street favourite, now trail-ready! Available in popular flavours like Latte, caramel latte and Frappe, offering that familiar Costa taste.
Use case: A quick coffee fix when you’re passing through a village and forgot your flask.
Finding Your Perfect Brew: What’s Your Trail Coffee Persona?
The Ultralight Minimalist: Stick to instant sachets like Nescafé or TrueStart, or the No Normal Coffee Paste. Every gram counts!
The Comfort Seeker: Taylors Coffee Bags, or TrueStart, offer a more ‘brewed’ experience.
The Zero-Fuss Fanatic: Ready-to-drink cans and bottles (Arctic, Jimmy’s, Solo, Costa ) are your best bet. Grab and go!
The Flavour Explorer: Speciality coffee sachets, TrueStart, or Taylors will satisfy your palate.
The Ethical Adventurer: Clipper Fairtrade is your go-to.
Don’t Just Hike, Thrive with the Perfect Brew!
There you have it – your comprehensive guide to fuelling your UK adventures with the perfect cup of coffee. Whether you crave the simple comfort of an instant sachet, the potent kick of a coffee paste, or the immediate refreshment of a ready-to-drink can, there’s a brew out there waiting to elevate your next hike.
So, what are you waiting for? Grab your pack, choose your coffee, and let every sip inspire your next step. Share your favourite trail coffee moments with us, and let’s make every outdoor journey a truly caffeinated triumph!
